French
Polynesian Black Pearl Farm
(click on each thumbnail photo to enlarge)
Pearls are different than mined gemstones. They're organic and can be grown on a farm! I've always loved pearls, so when the opportunity arose to visit a pearl farm on the island of Tahaa near Raiatea in the South Pacific, I signed up for the Renaissance R3 shore excursion immediately. When the excursion included a snorkeling stop, that made it even more attractive.
The
Motu Pearl Farm is a small, family operation. As
we approached the pearl farm, the singing family greeted our covered boat.
The patriarch of the family
gave the presentation to one group, and one of his daughters spoke to our
group.
The pearls produced by the
oyster Pinctada margaritifera vary in color from
pearly white to nearly black, and include purple, gray, champagne, and greenish
colors. There are no pearls that are completely black in color like an
onyx.
Making pearls is an arduous process, and not just for the oysters! The pearl farmer catches
young seed oysters and attaches them to
underwater rearing lines like those at
the right. Unfortunately, like most
farm crops, you can't then just sit back and watch the oysters grow. The
farm family must clean and inspect the oysters regularly.
Experts are brought into the farm from Japan to plant a nucleus (a small round pellet) inside the shell of the oyster in order to grow a pearl. This is a very difficult technique, and 25-30 percent of the oysters do not survive the implant. Only about 5 percent of oysters implanted actually produce a pearl.
Below are some pictures that I made at the pearl farm. If you'd like to read some details about how pearls are cultured, click here to read my article on black pearl farming.
Photos by: Linda Garrison
More - Black Pearl Farming in the South Pacific
More - Article on R3 Cruise to Raiatea and French Polynesia
Tahiti and French Polynesia Photo Album
